Those who experience foot cramps often will tell you that it’s no day in the park. The sudden, involuntary muscle contraction can cause extreme pain and even limit mobility of the feet or ankles. For some, cramps can happen very suddenly, without warning. For others, they can happen after a workout or a long day of standing or walking.

There are many possible causes, depending on individual situations. Below are some reasons why you may be getting foot cramps.

• Nerve Damage or Compression – If a nerve is being pressed or is damaged from injury, it is possible that the signals to the brain are interrupted and muscle contractions happen for a longer period of time than intended.

• Muscle fatigue or overuse – Long periods of muscle activity can lead to cramps. Warming up, stretching, and cooling down are helpful to prevent cramps due to intense activity. 

• Dehydration – Fluids are required to properly use muscles. When you are dehydrated, the muscle may not function properly and leave you with a prolonged contraction. Some medications can cause dehydration as a side effect, so be sure to stay on top of drinking fluids when on these medications.

• Nutritional Deficiencies – Calcium, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Magnesium, and Potassium are all required for healthy muscle function. Eat your vegetables and get in the sun!

• Lack of support in footwear – When shoes do not give adequate support to the feet, muscle tissues may have to strain to support them. This strain can lead to a muscle cramp, depending on how your feet position themselves to support you.

• Pregnancy – Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. You are more susceptible to swelling feet, which may press on nerves or reduce circulation.

• Other health issues – If you have severe foot cramps, they may indicate that you have other health issues.

When you have a foot cramp, one way to relieve pain is to flex your foot. Pull the toes toward you to relax the muscles. If you have prolonged pain, you may need a massage and a warm foot soak. Otherwise, if your feet swell, you may need a cold compress to ease the pain and alleviate the inflammation.

Have you been experiencing foot cramps? Come see us at Texas Foot Works. Dr. Jonathan M. Kletz can assess your feet to find the cause and prescribe you the appropriate treatment. Make an appointment today at any of our Abrams (Dallas), Athens, and Gun Barrell City, TX offices!